Part of a tripod used for supporting a bronze vessel that was dedicated on the Acropolis. It was found in the 19th century during the excavations conducted at the Acropolis and it was made in a workshop of ancient Etruria, a region in the west part of Italy.

Only part of the arch that was created by the joint of two –out of the three- legs survives, as well as the decorative plate that crowned the arch. The ornamented arch bears on top a horizontal base supported by busts of Achelous with bull’s feet. On the base four figures are standing. Although from the figure on the left only the bottom part is preserved, however the winged shoes permit its identification with Hermes. Next to him stands Athena, dressed in chiton, himation and aegis, who is holding by the wrist her protégé, Herakles. Herakles is clad in a long chiton, himation and a lion-skin. The head of the dead animal can be seen over the hero’s left thigh, the hind legs and the tail over the right thigh, while the front paws are knotted over Herakles chest in a knot (Herakles knot). Next to him a flute-player with a double flute in his hand seems to guide the group towards the left. The group’s composition points to the myth of the deification of Herakles, his arrival that is at Mt Olympus which signifies his postmortem deification.

A triangular band with a dowel that protrudes at the objects back side was used to secure an additional decorative plaque which filled the space created under the arch, as we know from similar Etruscan artefacts. A nail on the flute-player’s chest and a hole for a second one on Hermes’ body fastened the composition on the vessel placed on the tripod.